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Agreements

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is an agreement made between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. While IGAs are not legally binding, they express the commitment of governments to work together on certain objectives or goals. Most IGAs commence as soon as they are signed by the Commonwealth and one state or territory.

When an agreement involves funding from the Commonwealth to the states and territories, this is covered under the IGA on Federal Financial Relations. This IGA recognises that the states and territories have primary responsibility for many areas of service delivery but that coordinated action is necessary to respond to Australia’s economic and social challenges. Under the IGA on Federal Financial Relations, payments to the states are outlined through schedules to one of five overarching sectoral Federation Funding Agreements (Health; Education and Skills; Infrastructure; Environment; and Affordable Housing, Community Services and Other), or through one of the National Agreements.

The Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) is the gatekeeper of the Federation Funding Agreements framework and makes sure that agreements are negotiated and administered efficiently.

For current and past funding agreements, see the Federal Financial Relations website.

Intergovernmental agreements

This Intergovernmental Agreement seeks to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system through enhanced national collaboration among Australian governments.
This agreement sets out a joint approach to drought preparedness, response and recovery.
On 10 December 2018, the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments entered into the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Tasmania on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
An agreement to establish and support the Australian Digital Health Agency and to contribute to the incremental transformation of the way health information is used to plan, manage and deliver healthcare services through the implementation of a world-class digital health capability in Australia.
This agreement reflects both Governments’ shared responsibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and locks in arrangements for both Governments to make ongoing, up-front funding contributions to the scheme.
This agreement reflects both Governments’ shared responsibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and locks in arrangements for both Governments to make ongoing, up-front funding contributions to the scheme.